Lesson 6.5.4.3.3

6.5.4.3.3 Factors affecting braking distance 1 Quiz: AQA Combined Science, Unit 22

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 6.5.4.3.3, Factors affecting braking distance 1: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Combined Science (8464), Unit 22: Forces, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which condition is specifically named in the specification as an adverse road condition?

    • Steep hills
    • Dry and sunny
    • Wet or icy
    • Heavy traffic

  2. Poor condition of a vehicle affecting braking distance is strictly limited to which parts?

    • Engine or gearbox
    • Steering or suspension
    • Lights or wipers
    • Brakes or tyres

  3. How do wet or icy roads primarily increase a vehicle's braking distance?

    • Increase gravity
    • Reduce air resistance
    • Reduce friction
    • Increase mass

  4. Why do worn tyres increase a vehicle's braking distance?

    • Increase drag
    • Reduce grip
    • Reduce pressure
    • Increase weight

  5. Which is an effect of poor-condition brakes on stopping?

    • A shorter thinking distance
    • A shorter reaction time
    • A longer braking distance
    • A higher speed limit

  6. If a road becomes icy, the braking distance for the same car will most likely:

    • Stay the same
    • Decrease
    • Become zero
    • Increase

  7. Which vehicle or road condition increases a car's braking distance?

    • New brake pads
    • Light vehicle load
    • Dry road surface
    • Worn tyre tread

  8. A car's braking distance on a dry road is 5 m at 10 m/s. Assuming braking distance scales with speed squared, at 20 m/s it is about:

    • 20 m
    • 40 m
    • 10 m
    • 5 m

  9. Which weather condition directly increases the braking distance of a vehicle?

    • Light tailwind
    • Dry air
    • Icy road surface
    • Bright sunshine

  10. A driver with a reaction time of 0.8 s travels at 15 m/s. The thinking distance is:

    • 12 m
    • 1.2 m
    • 18.75 m
    • 15 m

  11. What physical limitation causes wet roads to increase braking distance?

    • Lower maximum deceleration
    • Increased vehicle mass
    • Higher engine power
    • Greater air density

  12. (Harder) A car at 25 m/s has a thinking distance of 15 m. On dry road braking distance is 30 m; on icy road it is 3 times longer. The icy stopping distance is:

    • 45 m
    • 105 m
    • 120 m
    • 90 m

  13. (Harder) From 20 m/s, a car decelerates at 3 m/s² on a wet road and 6 m/s² on a dry road. The ratio of wet to dry braking distance is:

    • 1:1
    • 1:2
    • 2:1
    • 4:1

  14. A braking force falls from 4000 N to 3000 N for a 1000 kg car. The deceleration changes from:

    • 4000 m/s2 to 3000 m/s2
    • 4 m/s2 to 3 m/s2
    • 4 m/s2 to 4.75 m/s2
    • 4 m/s2 to 1 m/s2

  15. Which factor does NOT affect braking distance according to the spec?

    • Worn brakes
    • Icy roads
    • Worn tyres
    • The driver's age

  16. A car at 10 m/s has a braking distance of 6 m on a dry road. Assuming braking distance scales with speed squared, at 30 m/s it is about:

    • 54 m
    • 180 m
    • 18 m
    • 30 m

  17. Which of these is an adverse weather condition?

    • Clear skies
    • Heavy rain
    • Warm sunshine
    • A light breeze

  18. Which factor change would most effectively reduce a driver's braking distance?

    • Brighter headlights
    • Heavier load
    • Listening to music
    • Lower speed

  19. Why is estimating road vehicle stopping distances important in transport physics?

    • Fuel economy
    • Road tax costs
    • Safety implications
    • Engine design

  20. A car with worn brakes is driven on a dry road. Which quantity increases?

    • Thinking distance
    • Braking distance
    • Reaction time
    • Speed limit

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